The information below is provided to explain the law in regards to a
snow emergency. If a snow emergency is issued, it will be
displayed on the Home page of this website and provided to media.

Pursuant to Ohio Attorney General Opinion 86-023 the County Sheriff
may declare a Snow Emergency and temporarily close county and township
roads within the Sheriff's jurisdiction for the preservation of public
safety and public peace. (ORC 311.07)

Ohio Attorney General Opinion 97-015 allows the County Sheriff to
declare a snow emergency and temporarily close State and Municipal roads
within his jurisdiction.

In Van Wert County, a Snow Emergency means:

All roadways are closed to non-emergency personnel. No one should be
out on the roadways during the snow emergency due to conditions being
life threatening.

Anyone traveling on roadways during a snow emergency is subject to
arrest.

A Van Wert County Snow Emergency is a Level 3 snow emergency as used
by some Ohio counties that use the snow level system. Van Wert County
does not use the "Snow Level System" for snow emergencies due to the
public confusion it creates.

Emergency conditions will be listed on the front page of this
website.